OCIP – Callbacks

Some OCIP firms have already started extending callback invitations. Now would be a good time to review our online Guide on the subject, which covers callback formats, declining callback offers, thank you notes, and travel arrangements and reimbursements.

Don’t be concerned if you have not yet heard back from firms with whom you interviewed this week. Its not unusual for them to take 3-5 days — some take a week or even more — to make their callback decisions. In some instances, the new NALP rules governing offers taking effect this year (see below) may even operate to slow down callback offers to some candidates.

Feel free to make an appointment with one of the attorney-counselors or drop by the CDO for advice on whether to accept particular callbacks or on how to decline an invitation.

Please remember to continue supporting one another by keeping your OCIP success discussions (with other students) to a minimum.

NALP RULES GOVERNING OFFERS

At this point in the process, you may also want to familiarize yourself with the NALP rules, governing the holding open of employment offers following callbacks. Here is a quick summary:

· Offers extended by employers to students who were not previously employed by them will automatically expire 45 days after the date of the offer letter, or on December 30th, whichever comes first.

· The 45-day rule, however, does NOT apply to offers extended to students who were previously employed by the employer making the offer. Those offers, regardless of when they are extended, will remain open until November 15th. After that, they will automatically expire.

· You cannot hold open more than five offers at any one time. For each offer received that places you over the offer limit, you should, within one week of receipt of the excess offer, release an offer.

While 3Ls are not required to take a position on their permanent offer from their summer employer until November 15th, if you are otherwise prepared to accept or reject it, there is no reason to wait. Indeed, by promptly rejecting an offer you have no intention of taking, you may be opening up an opportunity to one of your classmates.

It is possible to request extensions of the 45-day rule, but employers are not required to give them. When the time comes, if you feel like you need an extension, feel free to contact a CDO attorney-counselor for advice before approaching an employer.